2,500 people demonstrate in Barcelona in favor of public healthcare on World Health Day

Around 2,500 people gathered in Barcelona city center on Sunday for a demonstration in favor of public health, according to figures from local police.  

To mark World Health Day, two groups – Marea Blanca and Marea Pensionista – organized the march which began in Plaça Urquinaona and ended in Plaça Sant Jaume, outside the headquarters of the Catalan government. 

Protesters emphasized the right to public healthcare and criticized excessive waiting lists and the privatization of healthcare. 

They also demanded more resources for primary care and mental health treatments, as well as better working conditions for healthcare professionals. 

"Either people stand up and understand that health is a right or we will be left without a system," said Toni Barbarà, a retired doctor and one of Marea Blanca's spokespersons. 

He promised the fight against "privatization" and "commoditization" would continue in his address to the gathered media. 

Conchita Ribera, spokesperson for Marea Pensionista, spoke out against the "degradation" of public healthcare and long waiting lists for certain operations or for visits to the family physician or GP. 

The joint manifesto demanded more resources for primary care, action on "excessive" waiting lists, and an end to "privatization," saying that "health is not a business."